ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of a novel micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coated magnesium-zinc-calcium (Mg-Zn-Ca) alloy scaffold/autologous bone particles to repair critical size bone defect (CSD) in rabbit and explore the novel scaffold in vivo corrosion resistance and biocompatibility.MethodsSeventy-two New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=24), group A was uncoated Mg-Zn-Ca alloy scaffold group, group B was 10 μm MAO coated Mg-Zn-Ca alloy scaffold group, and group C was control group with only autologous bone graft. The animals were operated to obtain bilateral ulnar CSD (15 mm in length) models. The bone fragment was removed and minced into small particles and were filled into the scaffolds of groups A and B. Then, the scaffolds or autologous bone particles were replanted into the defects. The animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery (6 rabbits each group). The local subcutaneous pneumatosis was observed and recorded. The ulna defect healing was evaluated by X-ray image and Van Gieson staining. The X-ray images were assessed and scored by Lane-Sandhu criteria. The percentage of the lost volume of the scaffold (ΔV) and corrosion rate (CR) were calculated by the Micro-CT. The Mg2+ and Ca2+ concentrations were monitored during experiment and the rabbit liver, brain, kidney, and spleen were obtained to process HE staining at 12 weeks after surgery.ResultsThe local subcutaneous pneumatosis in group B was less than that in group A at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery, showing significant differences between 2 groups at 2 and 4 weeks after surgery (P<0.05); and the local subcutaneous pneumatosis was significantly higher in group B than that in group A at 12 weeks after surgery (P<0.05). The X-ray result showed that the score of group C was significantly higher than those of groups A and B at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery (P<0.05), and the score of group B was significantly higher than that of group A at 8 weeks (P<0.05). At 12 weeks after surgery, the scores of groups B and C were significantly higher than that of group A (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the renew bone moulding of group B was better than that in group A at 12 weeks after surgery. Micro-CT showed that ΔV and CR in group B were significantly lower than those in group A (P<0.05). Van Gieson staining showed that group B had better biocompatibility and osteanagenesis than group A. The Mg2+ and Ca2+ concentrations in serum showed no significant difference between groups during experiments (P>0.05). And there was no obvious pathological changes in the liver, brain, kidney, and spleen of the 3 groups with HE staining at 12 weeks.ConclusionThe MAO coated Mg-Zn-Ca alloy scaffold/autologous bone particles could be used to repair CSD effectively. At the same time, 10 μm MAO coating can effectively improve the osteanagenesis, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility of Mg-Zn-Ca alloy scaffold.